Is there any way to apply directly to Charles 1st faculty and avoid the abbey colleges in England or the group in the states that charge such a high fee. It seems a bit odd to pay them for doing so little for me. The abbey colleges will collect a 2000 pound fee from me when I accept and they asked me and several of my classmates to pay 200 pounds to fly over an interviewer to the UK to speak with us. I sent them a link to easyjet and told them it would be much cheaper to visit them for an interview and they agreed. I have been screwed financially by Kigezi and I would rather not be screwed by the abbey colleges if I decide to go to Charles. I have spoken to the offices at Charles and they keep directing me to the Abbey but I have spoken with a student who bypassed them. Any suggestions on how to do this???

In general (not Charles), there is a very simple way around this.

Call them directly and tell them that are not interested in paying 2000 pounds for someone else to do your paperwork. Tell them that you will be happy to make an appointment and fly to Prague to have an interview, but 200 pounds for their service is a rip-off.

Neil can probably give you more info. Also, there's a post somewhere on the forum (try searching keywords 'Charles' and 'Abbey') about this.

Miklos

i don't know of any group in the states that charges. if there is one, they are not a part of the first faculty, that is for sure.

as for the abbey college thing, i think it charges because the dean actually flies out to london, administers exams and interviews people. but, i do think the fees are a bit high..

as miklos said, contact the admin, tell them you are coming to prague and want to do the paperwork and take the exam here, as well as meet the dean if possible. they should do that for you...and, i think it would be a great chance to check out the school and area, see if you like it here. for a lot less than 2000 pounds, or whatever the fees are.

feel free to pm me if you need anything specific.

Hi Chav,

Im applying from the UK to and agree wit everything you said. Although I thought th eabbey college fee was closer to £1000 (from the top of my head around £1,150).

Although they have promoted the school in recent years and although they do organise trips for professors and tailor exams, the fee is a bit high.

I tried doing what Miklos suggested a while back. I maled the admin department- TWICE asking for dircet application. No luck. I even mailed a dean tutor and he said he woud be very happy to receive my application etc. BUT I have to apply through Abbey Colleges. At least I tried.

If you do find a way then please mail me Chav.
Good Luck
Mr Cool

hey Mr. Cool,

I just double checked the fees list I got from abbey and the one-off entrance fee is £1,850. I will see if the US route to Charles requires a one-off fee as well and let you know what I come up with. I also have tried calling and applying directly and they keep referring me to the abbey. It seems like Szeged is the more financially sound choice because the tuition is lower and the living expenses are really low.

bye now
chav

what US route? it's free, you need only pay a $50 application fee. email viera pecha (VAP315@aol.com) and she'll arrange everything at no cost.

-Matt

Well you may be very lucky if you only have to pay $50 fee for applying. In the UK, we all have to pay a one off fee of £1,850 as Chav says.

Harsh, its true, but I've tried all I can to get around this. How come you US guys are except?

Also Chav, how come you can chosse to apply as a US or UK citizen?

I am a US citizen but I currently live in the UK... So, when I spoke with the kind people at Charles and mentioned that I was in the UK, they directed me to the Abbey Colleges. Thanks for the US route info... I will definately check it out. That may be exactly what I am looking for.

mr. cool, you may want to explain your situation to the rep in the US. She is really cool and seems to be willing to help in any way she can. It may require a trip to the US but that is much cheaper than all that Sterling that the Abbey requires... Thanks again for the email address for the Charles US admissions director